Also, only the Hezbollah, the Syrian Social National Party and the Lebanese Baath party declined to back him.

Similarly, his return was assured as part of the deal he struck to throw his support behind former general Michel Aoun, a Hezbollah ally.

Hariri is the son of Rafik Hariri, the former prime minister who was assassinated in a seaside bombing in 2005 in Beirut.

Speaker Pledges Support

Meanwhile, Parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, said he is ready to cooperate in efforts to set up a new government. This has quelled earlier objections that threatened to hold up its formation.

Berri, head of the Shia Amal, is one of the most influential figures in Lebanon. His previous opposition to the deal that saw Aoun elected president was seen as an obstacle to forming the new government.

Consequently, Berri formally announced his support for Hariri’s candidacy in a meeting with Aoun at the presidential palace.

“If there was no intention to cooperate, we would not have named him.”